CMS/SiO2 /Al2 O3 catalysts for improved selectivity in the synthesis of amines from methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an improved catalyst for the selective synthesis of monomethylamine (MMA) and dimethylamine (DMA) at the expense of trimethylamine (TMA) for a starting feed of methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia. The current industrial catalyst for this process is a standard SiO 2  /Al 2  O 3  material. The present invention combines this standard catalyst with microporous carbon molecular sieves (CMS) to form a composite material (i.e., a CMS/SiO 2  /Al 2  O 3  material) with higher selectivity for the desired products MMA and DMA. The invention also relates to methods of making the improved catalyst and a process of using the improved catalyst material in the production of MMA and DMA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved catalyst for the selective synthesis of monomethylamine (MMA) and dimethylamine (DMA) at the expense of trimethylamine (TMA) for a starting feed of methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia. The current industrial catalyst for this process is a standard SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material. The present invention combines this standard catalyst with microporous carbon molecular sieves (CMS) to form a composite material (i.e., a CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material) with higher selectivity for the desired products MMA and DMA. The invention also relates to methods of making the improved catalyst and a process of using the improved catalyst material in the production of MMA and DMA.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The production of monomethylamine (MMA), dimethylamine (DMA) and trimethylamine (TMA) is performed industrially by the reaction of methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia (and sometimes recycled methylamines) over amorphous silica-alumina catalysts. The reaction goes toward an equilibrium distribution of products, of which the thermodynamically most favored product is TMA. However, TMA is the least desirable commercial product. Table 1 summarizes the equilibrium product distribution and the market demand for MMA, DMA, and TMA.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Equilibrium Product Distribution and                                           Market Demand for Methylamines*                                                          MMA       DMA     TMA                                                ______________________________________                                         Equilibrium 17          21      62                                             Market      33          53      14                                             ______________________________________                                          *400° C., 1:1 NH.sub.3 :CH.sub.3 OH feed ratio                    

The discrepancy between the market demand and the normal product distribution of methylamines has created interest in developing catalysts with higher selectivity for the desired products MMA and DMA at the expense of TMA.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved catalyst for the selective synthesis of monomethylamine (MMA) and dimethylamine (DMA) at the expense of trimethylamine (TMA) for a starting feed of methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia. The current industrial catalyst for this process is a standard SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material. The present invention combines this standard type of catalyst with microporous carbon molecular sieves (CMS) to form a composite material with higher selectivity for the desired products MMA and DMA. The invention also relates to methods of making the improved catalyst and a process of using the improved catalyst material in the production of MMA and DMA.

The active catalytic phase of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material of the present invention is the solid acid SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃, which is the commercial catalyst used in the synthesis of amines from methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia. The carbon molecular sieves (CMS) of the present invention are synthesized from a precursor material. Examples of preferred precursor materials are polyacrylonitrile (PAN), phenol formaldehyde resin (PFR), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA) or any combination of the above. A preferred method of forming the carbon molecular sieves used in the production of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material of the present invention is the pyrolysis of polyfurfuryl alcohol. However, any known method of forming microporous carbon materials or carbon molecular sieves can be used in the production of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material of the present invention.

The present invention also includes methods of making the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ materials. Specifically, as described below, there are three preferred methods of making the material.

The first method includes mixing the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material, in powder form, with a precursor material to form an initial mixture. The initial mixture is then heated for a period of time which is sufficient to convert (i.e., by pyrolysis) a portion of the precursor material to CMS. Most, if not all, of the remainder of the precursor material is vaporized during this first pyrolysis step. The material formed in the first pyrolysis step is a CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material. After the first pyrolysis step, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material is typically washed with, for example, acetone in order to remove any residual precursor material and/or materials that are not attached to the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material. The washed CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material can be used as a catalyst in methylamines synthesis. However, in a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material formed in the first pyrolysis step (after washing with acetone) is mixed with additional precursor material to form a second mixture. The second mixture is then heated for a period of time which is sufficient to form additional CMS material (by pyrolysis) and vaporize most, if not all, of the remainder of the precursor material. The material obtained at the end of the second pyrolysis step contains more CMS material than the material formed at the end of the first pyrolysis step.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material formed in the first pyrolysis step is ground to powder (after washing with acetone) before being mixed with the additional precursor material to form the second mixture.

In either of the two above-described embodiments of the first method, after the second mixture has been heated (i.e., subjected to pyrolysis) to form CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material, it may be necessary to comminute the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material to form a particulate CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material that is suitable for use as a catalyst material. However, in another embodiment of the present invention, the material obtained after the second mixture is heated is not comminuted before being used as a catalyst material. In either case, the CMS material is located primarily on the external surface of each particle of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material as a distinct layer which isolates the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material from the surrounding atmosphere. A representative particle is shown in FIG. 1 where the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst is indicated as (1) and the CMS layer as (2). Before being used as a catalyst material, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material is typically washed with, for example, acetone. It should be noted that additional pyrolysis steps can be performed, if desired, to obtain additional CMS material on the surface of the previously formed CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ particles. Such additional pyrolysis steps would include mixing the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material formed in the previous pyrolysis step with additional precursor material and then heating the mixture to convert at least a portion of the precursor material into additional CMS material. After each pyrolysis step, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material is typically washed with, for example, acetone.

The second method includes dropping hot pellets of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material into a body of precursor material located within a suitable container at ambient temperature. After the hot pellets have been quenched within the precursor material, the contents of the container are poured over a screen which retains the pellets. The recovered pellets are then rinsed thoroughly with, for example, acetone. The surface of the pellets contain CMS material formed when the hot pellets converted some of the surrounding precursor material to CMS. The process can be repeated several times to increase the amount of CMS in the surface of the pellets. As shown in FIG. 2, the final product of this process is a pellet of SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material (1) that has an external surface that is covered with a layer of CMS material (2). The CMS layer may also extend to a point that is within the body of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ pellet. In either case, the CMS layer isolates the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material from the surrounding atmosphere.

The third method includes mixing pellets of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material with precursor material and heating the mixture to convert (i.e., by pyrolysis) at least a portion of the precursor material to CMS material. The material formed in this first pyrolysis step is a CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material. After the first pyrolysis step, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material is typically washed with, for example, acetone. The washed CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material can be used as a catalyst in methylamines synthesis. However, in a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material formed in the first pyrolysis step is subjected to one or more additional pyrolysis steps wherein each pyrolysis step includes mixing the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material formed in the previous pyrolysis step with additional precursor material and then heating the mixture to convert at least a portion of the precursor material into additional CMS material. After each pyrolysis step, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material is typically washed with, for example, acetone. As shown in FIG. 2, the final product of this process is a pellet of SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material (1) that has an external surface that is covered with a layer of CMS material (2). The CMS layer may also extend to a point that is within the body of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ pellet. In either case, the CMS layer isolates the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material from the surrounding atmosphere.

The present invention also includes a method of using the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material in a process which comprises the following steps:

a) feeding ammonia and methanol and/or dimethyl ether to a reactor containing a CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material;

b) reacting the ammonia and methanol and/or dimethyl ether within the reactor to form monomethylamine (MMA), dimethylamine (DMA) and trimethylamine (TMA), wherein the molar ratio (MMA+DMA)/TMA, defined as the combined amount of MMAand DMA removed from the reactor (in moles) divided by the amount of TMA removed from the reactor (in moles), has a value which is larger than would be obtained in an equivalent reactor under equivalent conditions using the standard SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material; and

c) collecting MMA, DMA and TMA produced in the reactor. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the MMA, DMA and TMA are separated from one another by distillation of the crude product stream exiting the reactor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ particle.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ pellet.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of the quartz reactor used in Examples 1-6 of the present patent application.

FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of the temperature profile used in Examples 1-6 of the present patent application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved catalyst for the selective synthesis of monomethylamine (MMA) and dimethylamine (DMA) at the expense of trimethylamine (TMA) for a starting feed of methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia. The current industrial catalyst for this process is a standard SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material. The present invention combines this standard type of catalyst with microporous carbon molecular sieves (CMS) to form a composite material with higher selectivity for the desired products MMA and DMA. The invention also relates to methods of making the improved catalyst and a process of using the improved catalyst material in the production of MMA and DMA.

The active catalytic phase of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material of the present invention is the solid acid SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃, which is the commercial catalyst used in the synthesis of amines from methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia. The carbon molecular sieves (CMS) of the present invention are synthesized from a precursor material. Examples of preferred precursor materials are polyacrylonitrile (PAN), phenol formaldehyde resin (PFR), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA) or any combination of the above. A preferred method of forming the carbon molecular sieves used in the production of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material of the present invention is the pyrolysis of polyfurfuryl alcohol (e.g., Durez resin #16470 obtained from Occidental Chemicals). For certain embodiments of the present invention, it is desirable to use polyfurfuryl alcohol having a high molecular weight (e.g., PFA with a molecular weight that is higher than commercial resins such as Durez resin #16470 obtained from Occidental Chemicals). However, any known method of forming microporous carbon materials or carbon molecular sieves can be used in the production of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material of the present invention.

The present invention also includes methods of making the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ materials. Specifically, as described below, there are three preferred methods of making the material.

The first method includes mixing the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material, in powder form (e.g., about -400 mesh), with a precursor material to form an initial mixture. A preferred composition of the initial mixture is about three parts by weight SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ and four parts by weight of the precursor material. The initial mixture is then heated for a period of time which is sufficient to convert (i.e., by pyrolysis) a portion (e.g., about 25% by weight) of the precursor material to CMS. Most, if not all, of the remainder of the precursor material is vaporized during this first pyrolysis step. A preferred method of performing the first pyrolysis step includes heating the initial mixture at about 0.1° C. to 2° C. per minute to a holding temperature of from about 400° C. to about 800° C., preferably from about 450° C. to about 600° C., and more preferably about 500° C., and soaking the mixture at the holding temperature for at least one hour in inert gas (e.g., helium, argon or, possibly, nitrogen), preferably flowing inert gas. The preferred soaking time is from about 1 to 8 hours and the preferred inert gas is helium. The material formed in the first pyrolysis step is a CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material. After the first pyrolysis step, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material is typically washed with, for example, acetone in order to remove any residual precursor material and/or materials that are not attached to the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material. The washed CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material can be used as a catalyst in methylamines synthesis. However, in a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material formed in the first pyrolysis step (after washing with acetone) is mixed with additional precursor material to form a second mixture. A preferred composition of the second mixture is about three parts by weight of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material from the first pyrolysis step and four parts by weight of additional precursor material. The second mixture is then heated for a period of time which is sufficient to form additional CMS material (by pyrolysis) and vaporize most, if not all, of the remainder of the precursor material. A preferred method of performing the second pyrolysis step is to subject the second mixture to the same conditions used in the first pyrolysis step. The material obtained at the end of the second pyrolysis step contains more CMS material than the material formed at the end of the first pyrolysis step.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material formed in the first pyrolysis step is ground to powder (e.g., about -170 mesh; after washing with acetone) before being mixed with the additional precursor material to form the second mixture.

In either of the two above-described embodiments of the first method, after the second mixture has been heated (i.e., subjected to pyrolysis) to form CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material, it may be necessary to comminute the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material to form a particulate CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material that is suitable for use as a catalyst material. For example, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material can be sized to any appropriate size before being used as a catalyst material. Although applicants do not wish to be limited to any particular particle size for the catalyst material, particles that have been sized to less than 20 and greater than 50 mesh (<20,>50 mesh) have been found to be useful. However, it is not necessary that the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material be comminuted before being used as a catalyst. For example, in another embodiment of the present invention, the material obtained after the second mixture is heated is not comminuted before being used as a catalyst material. In either case (i.e., comminuted or non-comminuted catalyst material), the CMS material is located primarily on the external surface of each particle of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material as a distinct layer which isolates the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material from the surrounding atmosphere. A representative particle is shown in FIG. 1 where the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst is indicated as (1) and the CMS layer as (2). Before being used as a catalyst material, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material is typically washed with, for example, acetone. It should be noted that additional pyrolysis steps can be performed, if desired, to obtain additional CMS material on the surface of the previously formed CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ particles. Such additional pyrolysis steps would include mixing the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material formed in the previous pyrolysis step with additional precursor material and then heating the mixture to convert at least a portion of the precursor material into additional CMS material. After each pyrolysis step, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material is typically washed with, for example, acetone.

The second method includes dropping hot pellets of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material into a body of precursor material located within a suitable container at ambient temperature. The pellets of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material may be preheated by any suitable means before they are dropped into the precursor material. One preferred method of preheating the pellets includes placing the pellets in a stainless steel cylinder located above the container which holds the body of precursor material and heating the cylinder to about 600° C. for about two hours while flowing nitrogen through the cylinder. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the preheated pellets are dropped into the precursor material in batches of about 20-40. Larger or smaller batches can be used depending on the size of the container and the amount of precursor material located within the container. After the hot pellets have been quenched within the precursor material, the contents of the container are poured over a screen which retains the pellets. The recovered pellets are then rinsed thoroughly with, for example, acetone. The surface of the pellets contain CMS material formed when the hot pellets converted some of the surrounding precursor material to CMS. The process can be repeated several times to increase the amount of CMS in the surface of the pellets. As shown in FIG. 2, the final product of this process is a pellet of SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material (1) that has an external surface that is covered with a layer of CMS material (2). The CMS layer may also extend to a point that is within the body of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ pellet. In either case, the CMS layer isolates the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material from the surrounding atmosphere.

The third method includes mixing pellets of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material with precursor material and heating the mixture to convert (i.e., by pyrolysis) at least a portion of the precursor material to CMS material. The material formed in this first pyrolysis step is a CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material. After the first pyrolysis step, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material is typically washed with, for example, acetone. The washed CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material can be used as a catalyst in methylamines synthesis. However, in a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material formed in the first pyrolysis step is subjected to one or more additional pyrolysis steps wherein each pyrolysis step includes mixing the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material formed in the previous pyrolysis step with additional precursor material and then heating the mixture to convert at least a portion of the precursor material into additional CMS material. After each pyrolysis step, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material is typically washed with, for example, acetone. As shown in FIG. 2, the final product of this process is a pellet of SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material (1) that has an external surface that is covered with a layer of CMS material (2). The CMS layer may also extend to a point that is within the body of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ pellet. In either case, the CMS layer isolates the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material from the surrounding atmosphere.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, all or substantially all of the external surfaces of the particles or pellets of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material are completely covered with the CMS material as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. However, the present invention is also directed to embodiments wherein the CMS material only partially covers the external surfaces of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material or only completely covers the external surfaces of a portion of the catalyst particles or pellets. In these latter embodiments of the present invention, the selectivity of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material will be reduced in comparison to catalyst materials wherein the entire external surfaces of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst particles or pellets are covered with CMS material (i.e., the molar ratio of (MMA+DMA)/TMA, which is a measure of the selectivity of the catalyst materials, will be reduced in the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst materials wherein the external surfaces of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst particles or pellets are not completely covered with CMS material). However, the selectivity of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst materials in these less preferred embodiments of the present invention will still be higher than the standard SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material.

Preferably, the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material should be highly porous so that a large surface area of the catalyst is available for the methylamine synthesis reaction. Moreover, it is preferable that the CMS coating be located on the external surface of the catalyst particles or pellets and not extend significantly into the pore structure of each catalyst particle or pellet. Although some infiltration of the CMS material into the pore structure of the catalyst particles or pellets is inevitable, this infiltration may reduce the activity of the catalyst material by limiting the surface area of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst that is readily available to the methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia starting materials.

Although it is possible to use the catalyst in many different reactor setups, a particularly preferred setup is a fixed-bed reactor (i.e., a fixed bed of the catalyst within the reactor).

In a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst comprises a layer of CMS material which forms at least a partial coating on the surface of a SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material that is in the form of cylindrical pellets, extrudate or any other form with a vast geometric surface area. The size of the resulting CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst particle is selected according to recognized chemical engineering principles. A particularly desirable size for the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ particles is in the range of from about 3-130 mm (1/8 inch to about 1/2 inch) in all dimensions. The pore volume of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst core and its total surface area are likewise a matter of choice and can be selected to accommodate the particular system being utilized. A particularly desirable pore volume for the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst core is from about 0.2 to 0.8 cc/g and a particularly desirable total surface area for the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst core is from about 100 to 250 m² /g.

The present invention also includes a method of using the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material in a process which comprises the following steps:

a) feeding ammonia and methanol and/or dimethyl ether to a reactor containing a CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material;

b) reacting the ammonia and methanol and/or dimethyl ether within the reactor to form monomethylamine (MMA), dimethylamine (DMA) and trimethylamine (TMA), wherein the molar ratio (MMA+DMA)/TMA, defined as the combined amount of MMA and DMA removed from the reactor (in moles) divided by the amount of TMA removed from the reactor (in moles), has a value which is larger than would be obtained in an equivalent reactor under equivalent conditions using the standard SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material (i.e., a SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material which is identical to the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material except that it does not contain any CMS material); and

c) collecting the MMA, DMA and TMA produced in the reactor. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the MMA, DMA and TMA are separated from one another by distillation of the crude product stream exiting the reactor.

As shown in Examples 7 and 8, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material of the present invention provides superior selectivity in comparison to the standard SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material in regard to the production of MMA and DMA at the expense of TMA using a starting feed of methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia. In general, the selectivity (i.e., the molar ratio of (MMA+DMA)/TMA) of the standard SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material that is presently used in methylamine synthesis (i.e., AL-1602 obtained from Harshaw Chemical Co. or Engelhard Corp.; 94% by weight alumina and 6% by weight silica) at about 400° C. is about 1.05 at equilibrium conversion (i.e., about 95.8% methanol conversion). The selectivity of the standard SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material at 400° C. approaches 2.0 at low methanol conversion (e.g., 60-65%). In contrast, the selectivity of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst materials of the present invention in methylamine synthesis at about 400° C. is greater than 2.0 and preferably in the range of from about 2.30 to 3.30 at about 95% methanol conversion. Moreover, the selectivity of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst materials of the present invention in methylamine synthesis at about 400° C. can exceed 5.0 at methanol conversions of about 64%. Therefore, since the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst materials of the present invention demonstrate a dramatic improvement in selectivity for the desired products MMA and DMA in methylamine synthesis (i.e., in comparison to the standard SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst), these new catalyst materials should be very useful in the commercial production of methylamines.

Although applicants do not wish to be bound by any theory concerning the reason for the superior selectivity of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material, it is believed that the pore structure of the CMS material is permeable to the methanol (and/or dimethyl ether), ammonia, MMA and DMA but is not easily permeable to the TMA (i.e., the CMS material has shape selective properties). Accordingly, the methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia, in vapor form, pass through the CMS layer from the surrounding atmosphere and contact the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material which results in the production of MMA, DMA, and TMA. The MMA and DMA then escape from the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material by diffusing through the pore structure of the CMS layer to the surrounding atmosphere where they are removed from the system in the product stream. The TMA molecules cannot easily pass through the pore structure of the CMS layer and therefore a portion of the TMA molecules remain trapped within the porosity of the catalyst particles at any given time during the methylamine production process. This build-up of TMA within the porosity of the catalyst particles results in a decrease in the amount of TMA that appears in the product stream and, correspondingly, results in an increase in the ratio of MMA and DMA to TMA (i.e., (MMA+DMA)/TMA) in the product stream.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, all or substantially all of the external surfaces of the particles or pellets of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material are completely covered with the CMS material as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. However, the present invention is also directed to embodiments wherein the CMS material only partially covers the external surfaces of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material or only completely covers the external surfaces of a portion of the catalyst particles or pellets. In these latter embodiments of the present invention, the selectivity of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material will be reduced in comparison to catalyst materials wherein the entire external surfaces of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst particles or pellets are covered with CMS material (i.e., the molar ratio of (MMA +DMA)/TMA, which is a measure of the selectivity of the catalyst materials, will be reduced in the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst materials wherein the external surfaces of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst particles or pellets are not completely covered with CMS material). However, the selectivity of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst materials in these less preferred embodiments of the present invention will still be higher than the standard SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material.

Preferably, the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material should be highly porous so that a large surface area of the catalyst is available for the methylamine synthesis reaction. Moreover, it is preferable that the CMS coating be located on the external surface of the catalyst particles or pellets and not extend significantly into the pore structure of each catalyst particle or pellet. Although some infiltration of the CMS material into the pore structure of the catalyst particles or pellets is inevitable, this infiltration may reduce the activity of the catalyst material by limiting the surface area of the SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst that is readily available to the methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia starting materials.

The belief that the transport of the TMA through the pore structure of the CMS material is hindered relative to the MMA and DMA is supported by the observation that when MMA, DMA and TMA are passed through a packed column of pure CMS material, MMA and DMA are retained by the CMS material but TMA is not retained. This inability of the TMA to diffuse into the pore structure of the CMS material may also explain why the TMA has difficulty escaping the CMS coated SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst particles or pellets when the TMA is formed inside of the catalyst and has to pass through the CMS material to enter the product stream. Therefore, when the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material of the present invention is used in the amine synthesis reaction, the more rapidly diffusing MMA and DMA are produced at a global rate greater than the more slowly diffusing TMA.

Although the present invention is primarily directed to the use of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalysts in methylamine synthesis, it is also possible to use the shape selective CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalysts in other reaction systems to improve the selectivity of the system for the desired products. For example, the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalysts of the present invention could be used for the selective synthesis of para-xylene at the expense of meta-xylene and ortho-xylene for a starting feed of methanol and toluene. The use of the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalysts in this reaction system would lead to a molar ratio defined as (moles para-xylene)/(moles ortho-xylene+moles metaxylene) that would have a value which is larger than would be obtained in an equivalent reactor under equivalent conditions using a standard SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material (i.e., a SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material that is identical to the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst material but without the CMS coating).

The following examples are intended to illustrate several preferred embodiments of the present invention. The examples should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present invention to the specific embodiments described therein.

EXAMPLE 1

This Example shows the formation of pure CMS material. The CMS material formed in this Example was used to determine whether the CMS material itself was active (i.e., would react with any of the feed materials) in the methylamines system. As shown in this Example, the CMS material was found to be inactive with respect to the feed materials involved in methylamines synthesis.

80.5 grams of polyfurfurylalcohol (PFA) resin (obtained from Occidental Chemicals - Durez resin #16470 - and having a viscosity of 200 cp and a specific gravity of 1.21 at room temperature) was placed in a quartz boat. The quartz boat was then placed in a quartz reactor. FIG. 3 shows the schematic of the reactor. Specifically, in FIG. 3, the quartz boat is shown at 10, the PFA resin is shown as 12 and the quartz reactor is shown as 14. High purity helium was flowed through the reactor at 0.25 liters/min during the heating cycle and the reactor was purged with helium for 5 minutes prior to the start of the heating cycle. The helium input is shown by arrow 16 in FIG. 3. After the helium purge, the reactor was heated by a single zone Lindbergh furnace 18 controlled by an Omega temperature profile controller 20 including a thermocouple 22. The helium and gaseous pyrolysis products exit the reactor tue at 24. The temperature profile used is depicted in FIG. 4. The ramp rate used was 7° C./min. and the final temperature reached was 500° C. At 500° C. the material in the quartz boat was soaked for 2 hours. The material was then allowed to cool under helium to room temperature (about 20° C.). After reaching room temperature, the material was washed with acetone and dried overnight in an air oven at 100° C. About 20.1 grams of material was obtained after the drying step.

Analysis of the material indicated that it was carbon molecular sieve material resulting from the pyrolysis of the original PFA resin.

The above-described CMS material was tested for methylamines synthesis activity at three temperatures: 325° C., 360° C. and 400° C. at 200 psig pressure with a 1:1 molar ratio of methanol and ammonia. The only components found in the product stream were methanol and ammonia. There was no indication of methylamines being formed. This indicates that the CMS material used in the present invention is inert under methylamines synthesis conditions.

EXAMPLE 2

Silica/alumina catalyst AL-1602 (94% by weight alumina and 6% by weight silica) obtained from Harshaw Chemical Company or Engelhard Corp. was calcined in air for 24 hours at 600° C. and then crushed in a ball mill overnight to obtain -400 mesh powder. 6.1 grams of the -400 mesh silica/alumina powder was mixed with 36.7 grams of polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA) resin obtained from Occidental Chemicals (Durez resin #16470). The PFA resin had a viscosity of 200 cp and a specific gravity of 1.21 at room temperature. The mixture was then placed in a quartz boat, about 7 inches long and 0.75 inches deep. The quartz boat was placed in a 2.5 inch diameter by 40 inch long quartz reactor. FIG. 3 shows the schematic of the reactor. Helium was flowed through the reactor at 0.25 liters/min during the heating cycle and the reactor was purged with helium for 5 minutes prior to the start of the heating cycle. After the helium purge, the reactor was heated by a single zone Lindbergh furnace controlled by an Omega temperature profile controller. The temperature profile used is depicted in FIG. 4. The ramp rate used was 7° C./min and the final temperature reached was 500° C. At 500° C. the material was soaked for 2 hours. The material was then allowed to cool under helium to room temperature (about 25° C.). After reaching room temperature, the material was washed with acetone and dried overnight in an air oven at 100° C. About 17.6 grams of material was obtained after the drying step.

A visual inspection of the material indicated that the original silica/alumina catalyst had been coated with carbon residue from the pyrolysis of the PFA. The carbon residue is known to be CMS material (see Example 1). Burn off studies in air indicated that the silica/alumina catalyst accounted for about 36% by weight of the CMS/silica/alumina material.

EXAMPLE 3

Silica/alumina catalyst pellets AL-1602 (cylindrical shape, 1/8" diameter×1/8" long) obtained from Harshaw Chemical Company or Engelhard Corp. were calcined in air for eight hours in a muffle furnace. 30.5 grams of the calcined pellets were then placed in a quartz boat and 42.7 grams of PFA resin obtained from Occidental Chemicals (Durez resin #16470) was added to the boat so that the pellets were covered by the PFA. The mixture of pellets and PFA was then placed in a 2.5 inch diameter by 40 inch long quartz reactor. FIG. 3 shows the schematic of the reactor. Helium was flowed through the reactor at 0.25 liters/min during the heating cycle and the reactor was purged with helium for 5 minutes prior to the start of the heating cycle. After the helium purge, the reactor was heated by a single zone Lindbergh furnace controlled by an Omega temperature profile controller. The temperature profile used is depicted in FIG. 4. The ramp rate used was 7° C./min and the final temperature reached was 500° C. At 500° C. the material was soaked for 2 hours. The material was then allowed to cool under helium to room temperature (about 20° C.). After reaching room temperature, the material was washed with acetone and dried overnight in an air oven at 100° C. The dried pellets were then vigorously shaken in an eight (8) mesh sieve to remove residual carbon. About 48.1 grams of material were obtained after the drying and shaking steps.

A visual inspection of the material indicated that the silica/alumina catalyst pellets had been coated with CMS material. Burn off studies in air in a muffle furnace indicated that the silica/alumina catalyst accounted for about 74% by weight of the CMS/silica/alumina pellets.

41.3 grams of the CMS/silica/alumina pellets obtained from the first PFA pyrolysis step (described immediately above) were mixed with 29.4 grams of PFA and the mixture was placed in a quartz boat. The quartz boat was then placed in the quartz reactor (described above) and subjected to the same helium purge and heating cycle described earlier in this example. After cooling to room temperature (about 18° C.), the material was washed with acetone and dried overnight in an air oven at 100° C. About 49.0 grams of material was obtained after the drying step.

A visual inspection of the material indicated that the CMS/silica/alumina pellets had been coated with additional CMS material. Burn off studies in air indicated that the silica/alumina catalyst accounted for about 71.5% by weight of the final CMS/silica/alumina pellets (i.e., the CMS/silica/alumina pellets obtained after the second PFA pyrolysis step).

Several of the final CMS/silica/alumina pellets were split open using a knife. A visual inspection of the cross section of the pellets revealed that the carbon on the outer surface of the pellet was shiny whereas the carbon that was present in some of the interior porosity was dull in appearance (i.e., not shiny).

EXAMPLE 4

Silica/alumina catalyst AL-1602 obtained from Hatshaw Chemical Company or Engelhard Corp. was calcined in air for 24 hours at 600° C. and then crushed in a ball mill overnight to obtain -400 mesh powder. 12 grams of the -400 mesh silica/alumina powder was mixed with 38 grams of polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA) resin obtained from Occidental Chemicals (Durez resin #16470). The PFA resin had a viscosity of 200 cp and a specific gravity of 1.21 at room temperature. The mixture was then placed in a quartz boat, about 7 inches long and 0.75 inches deep. The quartz boat was placed in a 2.5 inch diameter by 40 inch long quartz reactor. FIG. 3 shows the schematic of the reactor. Helium was flowed through the reactor at 0.25 liters/min during the heating cycle and the reactor was purged with helium for 5 minutes prior to the start of the heating cycle. After the helium purge, the reactor was heated by a single zone Lindbergh furnace controlled by an Omega temperature profile controller. The temperature profile used is depicted in FIG. 4. The ramp rate used was 7° C./min and the final temperature reached was 500° C. At 500° C. the material was soaked for 2 hours. The material was then allowed to cool under helium to room temperature (about 18° C.). After reaching room temperature, the material was washed with acetone and dried overnight in an air oven at 100° C. About 23.3 grams of material was obtained after the drying step.

A visual inspection of the material indicated that the original silica/alumina catalyst had been coated with carbon residue (CMS material) from the pyrolysis of the PFA.

The CMS/silica/alumina material was then crushed to a very fine powder (about -200 mesh) using a Waring commercial blender. About 22.8 grams of the crushed CMS/silica/alumina powder was then mixed with about 15.8 grams of PFA and this mixture was placed in a quartz boat. The quartz boat was then placed in a quartz reactor and subjected to the same helium purge and heating cycle described earlier in this example. After the resulting material had cooled to room temperature (about 21° C.), the material was washed with acetone and dried overnight in an air oven at 100° C. About 26.9 grams of material was obtained after the drying step.

A visual examination of the material indicated that the CMS/silica/alumina material from the first PFA pyrolysis step had been coated with additional CMS material. Burn off studies in air indicated that the silica/alumina catalyst accounted for about 40.7% by weight of the final CMS/silica/alumina material (i.e., the CMS/silica/alumina material obtained after the second PFA pyrolysis step).

EXAMPLE 5

Silica/alumina catalyst AL-1602 obtained from Harshaw Chemical Company or Engelhard Corp. was calcined in air for 24 hours at 600° C. and then crushed in a ball mill overnight to obtain -400 mesh powder. 34 grams of the -400 mesh silica/alumina powder was mixed with 33.8 grams of polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA) resin obtained from Occidental Chemicals (Durez resin #16470). The PFA resin had a viscosity of 200 cp and a specific gravity of 1.21 at room temperature. The mixture was then placed in a quartz boat, about 7 inches long and 0.75 inches deep. The quartz boat was placed in a 2.5 inch diameter by 40 inch long quartz reactor. FIG. 3 shows the schematic of the reactor. Helium was flowed through the reactor at 0.25 liters/min during the heating cycle and the reactor was purged with helium for 5 minutes prior to the start of the heating cycle. After the helium purge, the reactor was heated by a single zone Lindbergh furnace controlled by an Omega temperature profile controller. The temperature profile used is depicted in FIG. 4. The ramp rate used was 7° C./min and the final temperature reached was 500° C. At 500° C. the material was soaked for 2 hours. The material was then allowed to cool under helium to room temperature (about 19° C.). After reaching room temperature, the material was washed with acetone and dried overnight in an air oven at 100° C. About 47.9 grams of material was obtained after the drying step.

A visual inspection of the material indicated that the original silica/alumina catalyst had been coated with carbon residue from the pyrolysis of the PFA. This carbon residue is known to be CMS material.

The CMS/silica/alumina material was then ground in a Waring commercial blender to a mesh size of <200 mesh. 42.9 grams of the thus ground CMS/silica/alumina material was then mixed with 16.4 grams of PFA resin and this mixture was then placed in a quartz boat and subjected to the same helium purge and heating cycle described earlier in this example. After the resulting material had cooled to room temperature (about 22° C.) it was washed with acetone and dried overnight in an air oven at 100° C. About 46.2 grams of material were obtained after the drying step.

A visual inspection of the material indicated that the original CMS/silica/alumina material had been further coated with additional CMS material. Burn off studies in air indicated that the silica/alumina catalyst material accounted for about 60 % by weight of the final CMS/silica/alumina material (i.e., the CMS/silica/alumina material obtained after the second PFA pyrolysis step).

EXAMPLE 6

Silica/alumina catalyst AL-1602 obtained from Harshaw Chemical Company or Engelhard Corp. was calcined in air for 24 hours at 600° C. and then crushed in a ball mill overnight to obtain -400 mesh powder. 12 grams of the -400 mesh silica/alumina powder was mixed with 37.7 grams of polyfurfuryl alcohol (PFA) resin obtained from Occidental Chemicals (Durez resin #16470). The PFA resin had a viscosity of 200 cp and a specific gravity of 1.21 at room temperature. The mixture was then placed in a quartz boat, about 7 inches long and 0.75 inches deep. The quartz boat was placed in a 2.5 inch diameter by 40 inch long quartz reactor. FIG. 3 shows the schematic of the reactor. Helium was flowed through the reactor at 0.25 liters/min during the heating cycle and the reactor was purged with helium for 5 minutes prior to the start of the heating cycle. After the helium purge, the reactor was heated by a single zone Lindbergh furnace controlled by an Omega temperature profile controller. The temperature profile used is depicted in FIG. 4. The ramp rate used was 7° C./min and the final temperature reached was 500° C. At 500° C. the material was soaked for 2 hours. The material was then allowed to cool under helium to room temperature (about 22° C.). After reaching room temperature, the material was washed with acetone and dried overnight in an air oven at 100° C. About 24.1 grams of material was obtained after the drying step.

A visual inspection of the material indicated that the original silica/alumina catalyst had been coated with carbon residue from the pyrolysis of the PFA. This carbon residue is known to be CMS material.

The CMS/silica/alumina material was then ground in a Waring commercial blender to a mesh size of about -200 mesh. 24.1 grams of the thus ground CMS/silica/alumina material was then mixed with 15.5 grams of PFA resin and this mixture was then placed in a quartz boat and subjected to the same helium purge and heating cycle described earlier in this example. After the resulting material had cooled to room temperature (about 22° C.) it was washed with acetone and dried overnight in an air oven at 100° C. About 27.6 grams of material were obtained after the drying step.

A visual inspection of the material indicated that the original CMS/silica/alumina material had been further coated with additional CMS material. Burn off studies in air indicated that the silica/alumina catalyst material accounted for about 45 % by weight of the final CMS/silica/alumina material (i.e., the CMS/silica/alumina material obtained after the second PFA pyrolysis step).

EXAMPLE 7

The following Table (i.e., Table 2) compares the conversion of equal molar ammonia/methanol feed over 24.8 grams of less than 30 and greater than 50 (<30,>50) mesh catalyst of this invention (i.e., 18.9 grams of the material formed in Example 6 and 5.9 grams of the material formed in Example 4) with 4.83 grams of <30,>50 mesh uncoated silica/alumina catalyst (i.e., AL-1602 obtained from Harshaw Chemical Company and now available from Engelhard Corp.; 94% by weight alumina and 6% by weight silica) in a 0.250 inch outer diameter and 0.180 inch inner diameter tubular reactor heated in a fluidized sand bath at 400° C. and maintained at 350 psig to give 94.7% and 95.8% methanol conversion respectively. The selectivity improvement is summarized in Table 2 and is measured as a molar ratio of the desired mono- and dimethylamines to trimethylamine.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                                              Molar Ratio of                                             Catalyst   ConversionMethanol                                                                       ##STR1##                                                 ______________________________________                                         CMS Coated 94.7%     3.30                                                      Uncoated   95.8%     1.05                                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 8

The following Table (i.e., Table 3) compares the conversion of equal molar ammonia/methanol feed over 17.97 grams of <30>50 mesh catalyst of this invention (i.e., the material formed in Example 4) with 4.53 grams of <30,>50 mesh uncoated silica/alumina catalyst (i.e., AL-1602 obtained from Harshaw Chemical Company and now available from Engelhard Corp.; 94% by weight alumina and 6% by weight silica) in a 0.250 inch outer diameter and 0.180 inch inner diameter tubular reactor heated in a fluidized sand bath at 400° C. and maintained at 350 psig to give 64.2% and 64.5% methanol conversion respectively. The selectivity improvement is summarized in Table 3 and is measured as a molar ratio of the desired mono- and dimethylamines to trimethylamine.

                  TABLE 3                                                          ______________________________________                                                              Molar Ratio of                                             Catalyst   ConversionMethanol                                                                       ##STR2##                                                 ______________________________________                                         CMS Coated 64.2%     5.07                                                      Uncoated   64.5%     1.95                                                      ______________________________________                                     

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of producing monomethylamine, dimethylamine and trimethylamine which comprises contacting methanol and/or dimethyl ether and ammonia with a catalyst comprising CMS material, silica and alumina.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said catalyst comprises particles of CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material and further wherein at least a portion of said particles comprise a core particle of SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material having an external surface which is at least partially coated with said CMS material.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said catalyst comprises cylindrical pellets of CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material and further wherein at least a portion of said pellets comprise a core pellet of SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material having an external surface which is at least partially coated with said CMS material.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein said particles comprise a core particle of SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material having an external surface which is completely coated with said CMS material so that said CMS material encapsulates said core particle.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein said pellets comprise a core pellet of SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material having an external surface which is completely coated with said CMS material so that said CMS material encapsulates said core pellet.
 6. A method of producing methylamines which comprises feeding ammonia and methanol and/or dimethyl ether to aa) feeding ammonia andmethanol and/or diemethyl ether to a reactor containing a catalyst comprising a CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material; b) reacting the ammonia and methanol and/or dimethyl ether within the reactor in the presence of said catalyst to form monomethylamine, dimethylamine and trimethylamine; and c) collecting the monomethylamine, dimethylamine and trimethylamine produced in the reactor.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said catalyst comprises particles of CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material and further wherein at least a portion of said particles comprise a core particle of SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material having an external surface which is at least partially coated with said CMS material.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein said catalyst comprises cylindrical pellets of CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material and further wherein at least a portion of said pellets comprise a core pellet of SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ material having an external surface which is at least partially coated with said CMS material.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the silica and alumina in said catalyst are in a fixed proportion to one another and further wherein the molar ratio (monomethylamine+dimethylamine)/trimethylamine, defined as the combined amount of monomethylamine and dimethylamine (in moles) produced by said method divided by the amount of trimethylamine (in moles) produced by said method has a value which is larger than would be obtained under equivalent conditions using a catalyst which contains the same proportion of silica to alumina but does not contain any CMS material.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the value of the molar ratio is greater than 2.0 at about 95% methanol conversion.
 11. The method of claim 6, wherein the molar ratio (monomethylamine+dimethylamine)/trimethylamine, defined as the combined amount of monomethylamine and dimethylamine removed from the reactor (in moles) divided by the amount of trimethylamine removed from the reactor (in moles), has a value which is larger than would be obtained in an equivalent reactor under equivalent conditions using a SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst which does not contain any CMS material but which has the same ratio of silica to alumina as in the CMS/SiO₂ /Al₂ O₃ catalyst.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the value of the molar ratio is greater than 2.0 at about 95% methanol conversion. 